Eagles veterans report to camp ready to work

PHILADELPHIA — The reality of a horrific season behind them, Eagles veterans checked into training camp at the NovaCare Complex Thursday convinced they were better for the pain.

Some lessons take longer to learn than others. If the last two seasons proved anything, it’s that the Eagles aren’t good enough to win without everyone willing to do the dirty work.

“There’s tons of teams that have had bad years and turned it around,” running back LeSean McCoy said. “You look at the 49ers. There’s times I couldn’t wait to play the 49ers. So it just shows you how this league works. If you think of the top teams in the NFL and you look at the bottom teams in the NFL, the talent level is very small. Very small.

“So I don’t think it’s a matter of talent. To make it in the NFL you’ve got to have talent. I think it’s actually putting in work and playing as a team and executing.”

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Hoping to accelerate the team concept, owner Jeffrey Lurie changed the culture, hiring Chip Kelly as head coach after axing Andy Reid, the winningest coach in Eagles history.

Eagles wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, after passing his conditioning test, pretty much echoed what McCoy said. In so many words the Eagles are under-achievers and taking to heart Kelly’s philosophy of open competition for starting jobs.

“I still think talent-wise when you look up and down our roster I don’t think you’ll find too many teams that are more explosive than we are as far as talent,” Maclin said. “But games aren’t won just on talent. We’ve got to actually put it together, put our hard work in and go out there and actually prove that we’re as talented as most people think we are.”

The Eagles went 4-12 last season and 8-8 the previous year despite adding tons of big names in free agency and gaining the label of Dream Team.

“We kind of put that to rest,” McCoy said. “We’ve got a new season, a new coach, tons of new players, new schemes. Everything is so different. I think this year will be a lot different.

“I don’t think you come into this league just to play. I think you want to win the Super Bowl. That’s always my goal.”

Maclin’s contract year

It sure sounds like it could be his final year in Philly.

After preliminary contract talks with the Eagles, the 2009 first-round pick has heard nothing “of late” and is focusing on football.

“I’m not going to get caught up in all that,” said Maclin, who last season led the Eagles with 69 receptions for 857 yards and seven touchdowns. “I’m excited. I’m aware of everything that happens around me. I’m excited to go out there and prove what I’m worth.”

Shurmur advising

Eagles offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur, who called the offensive shots as head coach of the Cleveland Browns, takes on an advisory role with the play-calling this year.

“Chip’s going to call the plays,” Shurmur said. “There’s obviously a healthy amount of interaction between Chip and myself. I’ll let him talk about the details.”

NOTES: All of the Eagles reported on time. It’s not known if all of them passed their conditioning tests. Offensive lineman Todd Herremans sported a Mohawk haircut with a rat tail, tight end Brent Celek an Ivan Drago-type hair cut with highlights. Drago was the villain in “Rocky IV.” Nose tackle Isaac Sopoaga marched up the sidewalk shouting the “E-A-G-L-E-S” Eagles! cheer only to stop himself by opening a door into his head. That had to leave a mark. The Eagles practice without pads today and tomorrow. The first contact practice in shoulder pads is scheduled for Sunday at Lincoln Financial Field.